in all three types of bluebird houses described in the following accounts. Raccoon (Plan 15)
The raccoon is a common mammal. Most nest box projects are designed to exclude use or predation by raccoons. If someone wishes to provide a box which can be used by raccoons, however, the wood duck design, (Plan 15), is appropriate. The entrance hole should be 5 inches high and 9 inches wide and face east or south so it is sheltered from prevailing winter winds. The box should be placed on live or dead trees at a height of 10 to 20 feet. The tree should be at least 12 inches in diameter.
Tree Swallow (Plan 4 & Plan 5)
The tree swallow has a snow white breast and beautiful iridescent greenish-black back.
It eats flying insects, and nests in all three types of bluebird houses described in the following accounts.
Tree swallows and eastern bluebirds frequently nest in the same areas. Quite often, however, tree swallows can be attracted to nest boxes placed in areas too open for bluebirds. Nest boxes can be spaced 25 yards apart and the birds have a preference for east facing entrance holes. The nest boxes should be about 4 feet above the ground. Tree swallows are especially abundant near water.
Their nests are often characterized by a feather lining. The eggs are white. The houses should be ready by May 1 and should be cleaned out as soon as the young leave. They generally nest only once a year, but cleaning out the box helps make room for other birds.
Tufted Titmouse (Plan 1 & Plan 2)
The titmouse,
chickadee and nuthatch prefer houses in wooded situations. Although these species will use
the house illustrated in (Plan 1), they prefer a more natural house, (Plan 2).
Wood shavings in the bird house will simulate conditions in a natural cavity. A 1 1/4 inch diameter entrance is adequate for titmice. Titmice seem to prefer houses located 6 to 10 feet above the ground. Attach the house to a tree trunk where it will be shaded and orient it to face small clearings. Similar to the chickadee and nuthatch, the titmouse over-winters in Pennsylvania. By day they grace our winter feeders. At night they may seek shelter in the same houses they nested in earlier. For that reason, the entrance holes should face towards the east and south, away from prevailing winds.